laser cutter

[nortran11]

hello,

I am just getting started in arcade cabinets and have a question.

I am an avid rocket enthusiast and have access to a large laser cutter that I use to cut out my fins for my larger rockets.

I saw the description for this woodworking section mention "model rockets" and it got me thinking.....can the laser cutter be pressed into action for anything in the cabinet building process? Most of the wood I cut with it is a 1/4" aircraft grade birch ply wood. I am assuming most arcade cabinets are at least double that in thickness so I am not even sure if it could be used for cutting out parts.

Any thoughts?

[TopJimmyCooks]

1/2" ply is the minimum size you typically see in cab construction and the sides are usually 5/8 or 3/4".  you could make some nice router templates though. 

[nortran11]

I see, so the thickness of the material would probably make the laser cutter impractical for most arcade applications. Router templates sound very do-able though.

Thanks

[Rick]

I see, so the thickness of the material would probably make the laser cutter impractical for most arcade applications. Router templates sound very do-able though. Thanks

Hold on just a second. Is there the possibility to go over the design in multiple passes with laser? I know with CNC routing, you can do this, with the parts being held in their spot. I could see this being even a greater possibility with laser, as the parts won't have any friction to move them around.

Even if you can't, having laser-cut templates would be AWESOME.

[JDFan]

Probably would depend on the laser cutter and it's specifications -- (ie. is it specd out to cut only 1\4" stock or can it handle thicker ) - figure there are machines that can cut 3\4 inch MDF without problems but not sure what the specs of the machine you have access to are !

[ebarlow99]

buddies got a laser and works awesome for cabs!!

[nortran11]

Yeah, it can do multiple passes. You're right, there is no friction....the material just sits on the bed as the laser passes over.....At very least it would be great for control panel cutting?

The one problem I see with cutting MDF with a laser is the potential health risk with any gasses it may release. THis would be my first attempt at cabinet building so I am not sure. I was planning on using standard plywood and laminating the outer shell with something like formica....too much work?

[Rick]

I was planning on using standard plywood and laminating the outer shell with something like formica....too much work?

Not if you glue it up, and cut them together.

[Ingesecition]

Laser cutting is not common on aircraft sheet metal as it is aluminium. I work with it a lot. you would think it was stainless as it is not anything like aluminium sheet in general and is as hard as a cats head and more springy than Skippy.

Aluminium is a light reflector and heat reflector, when contacted by heat is a super heat sink, so, even coated or painted, this causes the laser to blow back randomly, and though not super noticeable put beside a sheet of mild steel you quickly see how "not" clean the cut really is.

We us it in heat reflection of radiated heat and it is a ---smurfette--- to work with, the roll itself takes several people to handle it and not from weight, just stopping it from unwinding like a giant super spring.

Structural parts have end result requirements of specification, not standards of manufacturing of how the end result is achieved, (excluding some environmental requirements)

[Slippyblade]

The one problem I see with cutting MDF with a laser is the potential health risk with any gasses it may release. THis would be my first attempt at cabinet building so I am not sure. I was planning on using standard plywood and laminating the outer shell with something like formica....too much work?

MDF is a health risk even without laser cutting.  MDF is evil, horrible stuff.  The dust is so fine it goes right through most masks and respirators.  You will have health concerns no matter how you cut the stuff.  That said, I love working with it.  It shapes sooo easy.

[kahlid74]

The one problem I see with cutting MDF with a laser is the potential health risk with any gasses it may release. THis would be my first attempt at cabinet building so I am not sure. I was planning on using standard plywood and laminating the outer shell with something like formica....too much work?

MDF is a health risk even without laser cutting.  MDF is evil, horrible stuff.  The dust is so fine it goes right through most masks and respirators.  You will have health concerns no matter how you cut the stuff.  That said, I love working with it.  It shapes sooo easy.

Yeap, which is why you need a good dust collection system and dust filtration system in any enclosed space when dealing with MDF.